Chuck Crow/The PDMasa Kobayashi has become increasingly comfortable with his new American surroundings this spring.

Clearwater, Fla.- It's good to see Masa Kobayashi is sticking to his routine. Ballplayers need them.

When Kobayashi talked to reporters in spring training for the first time, the Japanese right-hander said his biggest surprise about the United States was the Wal-Mart he discovered in Winter Haven, Fla. He'd never seen anything that big in Japan.

Kobayashi said that in mid-February. It's mid-March and he still feels the same.

"He's a Gold Club member," said Toshi Nagahara, Kobayashi's trainer/interpreter. "He goes there almost every day. He buys meat, fish and vegetables. He does his own cooking."

On the mound, Kobayashi's routine keeps producing better results. He pitched a scoreless fifth inning Monday in the Indians' 6-4 Grapefruit League loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. After walking Pat Burrell, he retired the next three batters.

Kobayashi worked a 1-2-3 sixth inning Sunday against the New York Yankees. It's the first time he's pitched on consecutive days this spring.

"Sunday was his best outing because he kept the ball down," said pitching coach Carl Willis. "He was up today against Burrell. I thought he made an adjustment and got the ball down.

"He shows a lot of arm strength. The key will be location. When he's down in the zone, he induces ground balls."

Kobayashi said pitching on consecutive days was no problem.

Early in camp, he twice threw three bullpen sessions over three days.

"That's my job," he said.

Kobayashi is most pleased with the improving communication with his catchers.

"The catchers know what I'm comfortable throwing," he said. "That's a big thing. It makes me less frustrated because the catcher knows what I want to throw.

"My teammates understand how I pitch as well. I feel very comfortable that way."

Kobayashi, 33, throws a fastball, slider and split-fingered fastball. The baseball used in the big leagues is slightly larger than one Kobayashi used in Japan.

"I'm getting used to it," Kobayashi said, "but I'm more concerned about the hitters. They have more power hitters over here and I have to be careful when I face them."

Kobayashi considers himself an explorer.

"Everything is new to me," he said. "I may go through some hard times or new things I've never experienced before. I'm expecting those things. I like to enjoy something new - whether it's hard times or something else."

What Kobayashi has found in the new world is that his splitter breaks more than it did in Japan. He has no explanation.

Willis has discovered something about Kobayashi as well.

"The slider is better than I expected it to be," Willis said. "There's a difference between watching a pitcher on video and seeing him in person. I'm happy about that."

Kobayashi's training differs slightly from most Indians pitchers. He runs more and receives massages from Nagahara.

"Massage is a big thing for Asian athletes," said Lonnie Soloff, Indians head athletic trainer.

Willis said Kobayashi "has migrated toward the things we do. I've told him, 'If you need something more or something different, just let us know.' "

Kobayashi's role in the bullpen will be fluid.

"When you talk about the back end of our bullpen," manager Eric Wedge said, "outside Joe Borowski and Rafael Betancourt, we're going to use guys how we see fit . . . depending on what we need."

Willis sees Kobayashi pitching in the sixth and seventh innings. If Betancourt or Rafael Perez need a day off, he could pitch the eighth. Kobayashi was Chiba Lotte's closer for eight years in Japan, saving 227 games from 2000 through 2007.

Kobayashi is a long way from home. He wears a ring from his wife, Michiko, around his neck on a silver chain. He has the names of his wife and daughter, Miu, stitched on his glove. As part of his two-year, $6.25 million contract with the Indians, he receives eight roundtrip business-class tickets between Tokyo and Cleveland.

Even the bravest explorer needs a way to keep home close at hand.

Is that so?

Pitcher Cliff Lee allowed six runs on 11 hits in four innings against the Phillies on Monday, but Wedge said it was his best outing of the spring.

"It's a great example, in regard to spring training, of judging a guy by the way he throws the ball, the way the ball is coming into home plate, not necessarily the results," Wedge said.

Andy Marte had two tough plays at third in the second inning that helped the Phillies score five runs with two out.

"He should have made the first one," Wedge said.

Blistered:

Pitcher Jorge Julio left in the eighth inning with a blister on his right index finger.

"It started in the seventh and got bigger," Julio said. "With the off day today, it should be all right in a couple of days."

Testing, testing:

Adam Miller, who didn't get to throw for the Tribe in spring training because of a blister on the middle finger of his right hand, is on schedule to pitch in a minor-league game Thursday. He threw 10 minutes of batting practice Monday without incident.

Next:

The Indians are off today, but pitcher Fausto Carmona will make a minor-league start against Houston in Kissimmee, Fla. Wedge will be there. Wednesday night against the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla., pitcher Aaron Laffey will face John Maine. Jeremy Sowers will follow Laffey as they continue to compete for the No. 5 spot.

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